What ethical issues are raised by research on drug addiction?
Drug addiction is treated with medications and with behavioural therapies, a kind of psychotherapy. A combination of the two appears to be the most effective approach. Many treatments have been very successful but some remain controversial for ethical reasons. New and better treatments are being developed. It remains unclear whether a treatment should be considered successful only if a person gives up the drug completely, or if reducing the amount or the frequency of drug-taking can also be considered a success. More…
